Spend a weekend in Enfield

PUBLISHED: 10:12 18 February 2011 | UPDATED: 18:54 20 February 2013

Head for Capel Manor

Guided walks through beautiful parks, ice skating in a winter wonderland and trips to places of historical and horticultural interest – Enfield has a lot to offer its visitors, as Louise McEvoy discovers

Guided walks through beautiful parks, ice skating in a winter wonderland and trips to places of historical and horticultural interest Enfield has a lot to offer its visitors, as Louise McEvoy discovers

Gorgeous gardens

WITH a history dating back to the late 13th century, Capel Manor Gardens is a 30-acre estate surrounding a Georgian manor house and Victorian stables. The various gardens include Japanese, walled, Victorian, water and 17th century, as well as a jungle gym garden designed by TV gardener and 80s pop star Kim Wilde, who lives in Hertfordshire. There is also a sensory garden, an Italianate maze with a viewing platform, and a garden Le Jardin De Vincent which is a Chelsea Flower Show winner.Guided walks can be arranged, and there is a restaurant and a visitor centre with a garden gift shop and plant sales.For more information, visit www.capelmanorgardens.co.ukor call 08456 122 122.

Feeling sporty?

TAKE the opportunity to go and watch a match at Enfield Town Football Club one Saturday.The club was formed in 2001 by The Enfield Supporters Trust after backing dwindled for Enfield FC following the sale in 1999 of its Southbury Road stadium the clubs home since 1936 and subsequent move to a ground share with Borehamwood.A decision was made by a group of supporters to break away and form a new club, based back in Enfield, and a ground-share deal was struck with Spartan League club Brimsdown Rovers.The club still remains under the ownership of its supporters, and the aim is for this to be its last season at the Goldsdown Road ground, as preparations for a move to Enfields Queen Elizabeth Stadium are well advanced.Entry to first team games costs 8 for adults, 5 for OAPs and students and 1 for under 16s.For more information, and for a list of fixtures, visit www.etfc.co.uk

Head for the manor

VISIT Forty Hall, a Grade I listed Jacobean building which boasts fine period rooms, art and photography exhibitions, and history displays about Enfield.Forty Hall, which is on the Statutory List of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest, was built between 1629 and 1632 in the grounds of Elsyng Palace for Sir Nicholas Rainton - a City of London Alderman who became Lord Mayor of London in 1632. Following his death, Forty Hall changed hands many times, and in 1951 was bought by the former Enfield Urban District Council, and the grounds were opened to the public. The hall is open to visitors Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and there is also a caf.For more information about Forty Hall, call 020 8363 8196 / 4064.

Enjoy the fresh air

Visit Forty Hall

Get some exercise with free guided walks in and around Enfield.The walks, organised by Enfield Councils Parks Outreach Team, are led by an experienced walk leader who will point out various points of historical interest along the way. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and stout footwear and weatherproof clothing are recommended. Details of forthcoming walks are available at http://tinyurl.com/38eubnsFor more information, contact the Parks Outreach Team on 020 8441 8272 or 020 8449 2459, or email alan.mitellas@enfield.gov.uk

Did youknow?

There was a period of apparent poltergeist activity in Enfield between August 1977 and September 1978.It is alleged to have taken place in a council house rented by a single mother with four children, where it is said that furniture moved by itself, childrens toys were thrown, and knockings on the wall were heard.